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diane estelle Vicari

About

Since 1994, award-winning director/producer diane estelle Vicari established a proven record of success in the fast-paced entertainment industry. A highly intuitive and dynamic storyteller, diane has worn many hats and garnered expertise in all facets of the documentary genre, thriving both in the independent field as well as collaborative environments.

Founder of Dites-Moi Films, short film with big ideas, and DOCdance Productions llc, she independently produces stories that promote the advancement of our individuality and global interdependence. Though her work, diane estelle explores thematic stories about our human spirit and our innate gift of triumphing over any adversity and knows first-hand that we all have the potential to reach our dreams and fulfill our destinies.

Her past work, SUGIHARA Conspiracy of Kindness , about Japanese Diplomat Chiune Sempo Sugihara tells the story of how “One man can make a difference”. The primetime PBS feature length was honored with the prestigious International Documentary Association Pare Lorentz Award.

Just as extraordinary, is the subject of Vicari's current work, IMAGINING A BETTER WORLD, The Nelly Toll Story. In development with an animated/VR art-related project, based on the book Behind the Secret Window, which she obtained rights to in 2006. This documentary brings to life the memoir of eight years old Nelly S. Toll, as she paints her imaginary world while hidden during World War II. Dr. Toll emerged from the darkness as an artist, writer and later a therapist, mother and much more. www.imaginingabetterworld.com

On an uplifting note, diane estelle is in the early stage of post-production on the story of a 94 years young American Master, composer and arranger, Sammy Nestico. Sammy is one of the greatest contributors to the field of music of the last century, working in classical, jazz and big band; as a composer, arranger, and last but not least, as an educator. At an age when most people have long retired, Sammy continues to give hope to young aspiring musicians as well as all dreamers. www.sammynesticofilm.com

diane estelle directed ATMA DARSANA Reflection of the Soul, a tribute to the internationally acclaimed yoga master BKS Iyengar, one of Time magazine's "100 most influential people of the 20th century”. Some of her prior credits include Bert Stern: Original Madman, the Emmy Award-winning Titanic: Death of a Dream and Titanic: The Legend Lives On, the Emmy Award-nominee The Last Days of World War II and the network television special Angels II: Beyond The Light, to name a few.

In addition to her own filmmaking career, diane estelle is a champion for others with stories to tell. She’s done this while collaborating with other filmmakers and most notably through her extensive work with the IDA, International Documentary Association (2000-2009), an organization for which she served as President of the Board from 2006 to 2009. More recently, she has extended her efforts as chair and co-founder of the 501c3, DOCClub®LA.

Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, she is fluent in French and a graduate of the UCLA's Certificate Program in Film and Television.